Getting to the root of the problem: skin picking disorder and aesthetic procedures

Excoriation disorder or skin picking disorder (SPD) is a chronic mental illness. It is defined by recurrent skin picking, scratching, rubbing and digging or urges to do so that goes on for extended periods of time, resulting in skin lesions and behaviour that interferes with functioning in other areas of life. The skin-picked area of the body can be smooth and healthy, and the anomaly invisible to the naked eye. Commonly, individuals with SPD seek aesthetic procedures to address perceived self-defects or to remedy their self-inflicted scarring. It is important for aesthetic practitioners to identify SPD because continuing with aesthetic interventions could worsen the illness for the sufferer. In response to this issue, aesthetic practitioners can identify individuals with SPD by administering a screening questionnaire and appropriately providing referrals to mental health professionals.